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Motherboard Installation Guide

Table of contents

Notice
Before the Installation
Installation Procedure

Notice

This installation guide describes a general procedure of installing a motherboard into a computer case. The installation procedure may vary with different cases or motherboard types. Please refer to your case and motherboard manuals for detailed instructions.

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Before the Installation

Please make sure to drain static electricity from your body before touching the memory or any other hardware component. Washing your hands should do the trick. Some kits or memory modules come with anti-static wristbands which lead to grounds.
Make sure that the system is completely powered off. We recommended disconnecting the power cord from the system.

Note: Please install the CPU and memory onto the motherboard outside the case (see our CPU and memory installation guide for more information) when building a new system.

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Installation Procedure

1. Replace the Rear I/O Panel Shield

Although most cases come with a standard rear I/O panel shield, each motherboard manufacturer can utilize different layouts for its rear I/O connectors. Please use the rear I/O panel shield that comes with the motherboard.

Open your computer case, and remove the original rear I/O panel shield by pressing on each corner from the outside of the case until it pops out. Next, install the shield provided by the motherboard manufacturer. Please make sure to align the shield correctly - generally speaking, the PS/2 keyboard and mouse port openings should be on the power supply end. After that, gently press on each corner of the I/O panel shield from the inside of the case until it snaps into place.

2. Install Motherboard Standoffs

Some cases are shipped with standoffs already installed, others aren’t - you may need to install the standoffs manually.

First, compare your motherboard to the motherboard tray (the surface of the case where the motherboard is secured); a standoff needs to be installed in the motherboard tray for any location that matches a mounting hole on the motherboard. You can start installing the standoffs after accurate comparison.

Notice: Some cases utilize a removable motherboard tray to make it easier to install the motherboard. You should remove the motherboard tray from the case first before the installation. See your case manual for detailed instructions.

3. Mount the Motherboard in the Case

Place the motherboard over the motherboard tray; line up the board with the standoffs so that you can see all the standoffs through the motherboard's mounting holes. Make sure the motherboard's rear I/O connectors match the previously installed rear I/O panel shield at the same time.

4. Fasten the Motherboard

Secure the motherboard with the screws that come with the computer case - check the case manual to find out which screws to use. Insert the screws through the motherboard's mounting holes and fasten them one by one. Use firm pressure during the process, but do not fasten the screws too tight - that can damage the motherboard.

5. Continue Connecting and Installing Other Devices

The motherboard installation process is done. Now you can connect any IDE/SATA devices to your motherboard, and install expansion cards such as a graphics card and sound card (if needed). Finally, don't forget to connect your power supply unit (see our installation guides for each of these components).

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